Journal of epidemiology and community health
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J Epidemiol Community Health · Aug 2014
Genetically predicted 17β-estradiol and systemic inflammation in women: a separate-sample Mendelian randomisation analysis in the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study.
Many chronic diseases are characterised by low-grade systemic inflammation. Oestrogens may promote immune response consistent with sex-specific patterns of diseases. In vitro culture and animal experiments suggest oestrogens are anti-inflammatory and might thereby protect against low-grade systemic inflammation. Evidence from epidemiological studies is limited. Using a Mendelian randomisation analysis with a separate-sample instrumental variable (SSIV) estimator, we examined the association of genetically predicted 17β-estradiol with well-established systemic inflammatory markers (total white cell count, granulocyte and lymphocyte count). ⋯ Endogenous genetically predicted 17β-estradiol reduced low-grade systemic inflammatory markers (white blood cell count and granulocyte count), consistent with experimental and ecological evidence of 17β-estradiol promoting immune response. Replication in a larger sample is required.
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J Epidemiol Community Health · Jul 2014
Climate change effects on human health: projections of temperature-related mortality for the UK during the 2020s, 2050s and 2080s.
The most direct way in which climate change is expected to affect public health relates to changes in mortality rates associated with exposure to ambient temperature. Many countries worldwide experience annual heat-related and cold-related deaths associated with current weather patterns. Future changes in climate may alter such risks. Estimates of the likely future health impacts of such changes are needed to inform public health policy on climate change in the UK and elsewhere. ⋯ Health protection from hot weather will become increasingly necessary, and measures to reduce cold impacts will also remain important in the UK. The demographic changes expected this century mean that the health protection of the elderly will be vital.
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J Epidemiol Community Health · Jun 2014
Built environment change: a framework to support health-enhancing behaviour through environmental policy and health research.
As research examining the effect of the built environment on health accelerates, it is critical for health and planning researchers to conduct studies and make recommendations in the context of a robust theoretical framework. We propose a framework for built environment change (BEC) related to improving health. ⋯ Integrated into this framework are the legal and regulatory mechanisms and instruments that are commonly used to effect change in the built environment. This framework would be applicable to medical research as well as to issues of policy and community planning.
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J Epidemiol Community Health · Jun 2014
Maternal alcohol intake prior to and during pregnancy and risk of adverse birth outcomes: evidence from a British cohort.
Evidence is conflicting regarding the relationship between low maternal alcohol consumption and birth outcomes. This paper aimed to investigate the association between alcohol intake before and during pregnancy with birth weight and gestational age and to examine the effect of timing of exposure. ⋯ We found the first trimester to be the period most sensitive to the effect of alcohol on the developing fetus. Women adhering to guidelines in this period were still at increased risk of adverse birth outcomes. Our findings suggest that women should be advised to abstain from alcohol when planning to conceive and throughout pregnancy.
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J Epidemiol Community Health · Jun 2014
Sociodemographic factors predicting mother's cervical screening and daughter's HPV vaccination uptake.
Achieving high human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine coverage may reduce inequalities in cervical cancer prevention by mitigating the inequalities seen in the cervical screening programme. This paper assesses whether the same sociodemographic factors are associated with both cervical screening and HPV vaccination. ⋯ Ensuring completion of the vaccine schedule is critical for organisations responsible for vaccine delivery in order to reduce cancer risk among girls living in deprived areas. There remains a small minority of mothers and daughters from disadvantaged backgrounds who do not participate in either cervical screening or HPV vaccination.